I am so thrilled! Less than 24hrs later (and I did sleep a few hours), my not so flash site is gone and my new one is up and running. Wahoo! It used to be flash based, and you couldn't even Pin from it to Pinterest, but now I think it's even pin worthy.

Here are a few screen shots, but I would love it if you popped over to Emmaline and saw the actual thing. My web-designing brother gave me the thumbs up and said it looked "Simple and Clean". Yay, that's what I was going for. I also wanted "bright and sunshiny" too. I think it's bright, maybe too bright. I don't think it's as bright as it looks in these screen shots though. It's a bit calmer on the web.

My bro did point out the my word "Flickr" looks like a bad word with the font I used. True, I hadn't noticed that. I am not changing the font though, no way, I like those W's too much.

Eventually, I need to take all new product shots - they are all poorly lit, with different shades of blueish white in the background. They all need to be redone. Someday soon. I need to make the blog match the website and I will start that in a few days. But first, I need to get my wallet pattern and bowling bag patterns released, the public is waiting in anticipation ;P

Congratulations to Jean #50 and Wendy #31, your Shawl ebooks are headed to you via email! Thank you so much to all that entered in Rose from RosyPosy Design's ebook giveaway, it was a lot of fun and a pleasure to share Rose's gorgeous work with you.

Now I'd like to share something with you! My latest PDF Sewing Pattern - The Boyd St. Bowling Bag, is now at pattern testers and so far getting some great feedback. I had intended to do a blog post asking for pattern testers, but I had so many requests that I didn't have to do it, so I am sorry if this is something you were waiting for. Not to worry, I will have another 2 coming really soon.

I inevitably spell piece wrong at least a few times in a pattern, usually in the graphic diagrams as these don't get spell checked, and that was no different in this one. I haven't gotten the edits back yet, but so far I have had great comments and I can't wait to release it to you! I had one commenter, who has never sewn one of my patterns, say that she couldn't believe that my pattern was more like a tutorial or mini class than a sewing pattern and she loved all the pictures.
Perfect! That is just what I'm going for here and I love it that people are noticing. I still have to take photos of my 3 versions of the bag, but here is how the cover is looking so far - it might change!

I am a huge fan of Christine, from ChrisWDesigns. She was so helpful to me when I was starting out with my website and put me in the direction of e-junkie, my shopping cart tool. So I was very pleased to hear from her again this morning, asking me to participate in a Bag Loving Blog Hop!

From her blog:

One very obvious reason you may be visiting my blog is because you love BAGS just as much as I do! It is FUN and so inspirational to see what bags other people have been making so I thought it would be great FUN to start a Blog Hop so those of us who love making bags can 'Hop' from one Bag Lovin Blog to the next! :)

What do you have to do? It's easy! (Please note links now require approval due to spamming :( so will be approved after all 3 steps have been carried out! Please make sure your blog has posts about BAGS!)

Step 1) Just add your blog link below by clicking on the "Click here To Enter" link and follow the easy steps to add your blog!

*Step 2) IMPORTANT! Click on the "Get the code here" link shown to grab your copy of the code and add it to your blog! Please include these instructions so that new members will know what to do! :)

*Step 3) Grab this button: (Right Click and Save)

and pop it in your sidebar linking to your Bag Lovin Blog Hop post so that we can leave this blog hop open and people can keep finding it and hopping on! :)

After all 3 steps have been completed, your link will be approved and added to the blog hop! :)

That's it! :)

* Please note it may take me a little while to approve your link due to the time differences! If you have any technical difficulties or you can't see your link within 24 hours, please don't hesitate to email me so I can see if I can help! :) Thanks for joining in!

I hope to see a bunch of you bag ladies, join in the fun!! Can't wait to stop by and see you!

Today I have the pleasure of sharing a knitted shawl e-book with you today, and I get to offer a contest for 2 of you to win the 4 pattern e-book!

These gorgeous, delicate, shawls have such a light, feminine vintage feel to them, you can't help but feel warm and luxurious just looking at the photography. I love the way that Rose's designs bring history and the art of fiber working back to us. It seems like Rose's designs come to us from some splendid cache of treasured patterns that have been hidden away in the lady's sitting room of Mansfield Park or some similar majestic residence, where the women of the house sat in very fine dresses, sipping tea while knitting their heart and soul in to their very best work. In the afternoons, the ladies would stroll around the gardens, on the arms of very dashing men, with these beautiful, delicate, shawls around their shoulders.... I could go on? (Sorry, I have read a lot of Jane Austen.)

Falling Cherries, by RosyPosy Designs

Back to the business at hand, I am here to introduce Rose Beck's, from rose.is.a.rose, new collection called "New Lines". (To view the collection, you can log in for free at Ravelry.) I will share Rose's description to you, as mine is not truly accurate to her inspiration. In her words:

"The art movement known as Art Nouveau began in the late 1800s and lasted until the First World War. Its lasting influence spread to all manner of decorative objects, from posters and book covers to furniture and architecture. Artists of Art Nouveau were inspired by flowing lines as well as themes from nature; flowers, trees, and insects were common motifs. These artists sought to bring beauty to ordinary objects, to make artistic expression part of everyday life and not limited to the more traditional forms of art such as painting and sculpture. Table lamps, chair backs, jewelry, staircase railings, clocks, cutlery—all became a means to express the New Art.This collection of knitted shawls is inspired by the organic beauty, the new lines of Art Nouveau.When finished, I hope each shawl adds its own delicate art to the wearer. Happy knitting, Rose"

The Sinuous Line, by RosyPosy Designs

Peacock's Tail by RosyPosy Designs

Also, Rose is not just about knitting, she also has had some purse tutorials published in Interweave magazine, and is in the process of publishing a PDF bag pattern that is top notch! (I'm not sure if I'm allowed to share that secret info or not, I am pattern testing it... shhh!) You can find all this on her blog.

Curving Lilies by RosyPosy Designs

These shawls are DIVINE, and I love that women today appreciate this work and wear their handmade items with pride. I know I need one of these for Spring, one for cool summer strolls, one for chilly fall nights, and one snuggled under my coat in the Winter. Thank you, Rose!

I've decided to participate in my first sewing contest. You can read all about Sewvivor, hosted by Family Ever After HERE. It's pretty exciting and the prizes are awwwwsome!

I've linked up my Fabric Cradle Purse Tutorial in hopes of being one of the 10 selected for the contest. I'm not sure it's my best work, but I do love it and I think it's a great tutorial that has had a lot positive feedback. I'm not really sure what my best work is, that's a tough one. Perhaps some of the bags I have made and sold, or a quilt I made and appliqued for my Mother. But I don't have pictures of those.

I really hope I am selected to go into the contest because the first challenge is "Emerald", Pantone's color of the year, and I have something FABULOUS for the entry. I am soooo excited about it, but can't tell you what it is! The fabric is ordered and one the way, and I think even if I don't get selected, I'm going to make it anyway and share it with you all. It might even end up being a pattern. Let's just say - if you like anything retro, you will like this!

The other challenges in the contest will be "buttons" and "quilted", and I'm still considering what I'd do for those if I make it that far. I have some ideas... but nothing for sure yet.

What would you make? If you love to sew, head on over, read the rules, and ENTER! If you aren't entering, browse and click through the auditions, there is some major inspiration there. Lovely work!

You have to check out what Julianna has done with the first paper pieced block in the Forest QAL, it's phenomenal!! Love it!! I am a huge fan of Joanna from Shape Moth, so the QAL is something I have been waiting to see. The first stop was with Julianna from Sewing Under Rainbow, and I am going to admire from afar, because I can't possibly take on any more, but I think when I have some time.... and a bit more stash....

About Me

Welcome to the blog! I'm Janelle, and I run a growing bag making supply and pattern design company up in the very cold areas of Canada. This is the place to find info on upcoming patterns, contests & free sewing tutorials and patterns.

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A Note

The contents of this blog, including text, original photos and ideas are the sole property of the author.
If you intend to use my text or images, please link back to this blog and give credit to Emmaline Bags & Patterns. A notification email would be greatly appreciated too!
Please do not ever republish an entire post, any tutorials, or post photos of my family.
Thank you, Janelle